Fantastic

I do appreciate old-world accessories.

Rather than have an electronic gadget vibrating or ringing in my bag—or worse—I like a more leisurely pace: bicycle instead of car, landline instead of mobile, hand-written letter rather than email. Except when I don’t, naturally.

One charming-but-dated accessory is the ladies’ fan. Being Canadian (or at least that’s my explanation), I prefer to be cold, but if I must be hot, I like an ocean to be rightthere for refreshing dips.

For those close summery evenings when there isn’t a breeze, or for flaunting, à la Undine Spragg (that misinformed Wharton character) from one’s opera booth, here’s a golden yellow vintage fan, from the Museum of the City of New York. I’d almost look forward to still air.**

**Not really.